The North Dakota Department of Health (Bismarck, North Dakota) says a pipeline leak due to corroded steel was the likely cause behind a major source water spill in Bowman County, North Dakota.
In a news release, state environmental scientist Bill Suess says the 4,000-bbl (159 L) spill occurred about nine miles southwest of Rhame, North Dakota, at a well site owned by Denbury Onshore (Plano, Texas).
The spill took place on Tuesday, August 9.
Suess says released fluids from the source water—higher in dissolved solids and minerals than fresh water—entered a dry creek bed.
He adds that no water sources were threatened, noting that the wastewater did not contain chemicals used in drilling operations.
Suess says crews were using large vacuums to recover the source water, according to the Associated Press.